roll with the punches

roll with the punches

1. Literally, in martial arts (especially boxing), to maneuver one's body away from a blow so as to lessen the force of the impact. He's not the most aggressive fighter, but he relies on his endurance and skill, rolling with the punches to wear down his opponent until the best moment to strike.

2. By extension, to adapt to setbacks, difficulties, or adversity so as to better manage or cope with their impact on one's life. Losing my job was really tough, but I've just been trying to roll with the punches until I get back on my feet.Remember to roll with the punches during the debate— don't get hung up on the mistakes that you make.

roll with the punches

Cope with and withstand adversity, especially by being flexible. For example, She'd had three different editors for her book, each with a different style, but she'd learned to roll with the punches . This term alludes to the boxer's ability to deflect the full force of an opponent's blow by adroitly moving his body. [Mid-1900s]

roll with the punches

If someone rolls with the punches, they do not allow difficulties or criticism to affect them badly. He has impressed all sides by his ability to negotiate and willingness to roll with the punches.He has had to learn how to roll with the punches and seek out the positive in every problem. Note: If boxers roll with the punches, they move their head and body backwards, away from their opponent's punch.

roll with the punches

roll with the punches, to

To adapt to adversity. The term comes from boxing, in which a contestant shifts his body to the side so as to deflect the full force of the opponent’s blow. By the mid-twentieth century it had become a metaphor for dealing with difficult circumstances, as in H. Kurnitz’s Invasion of Privacy (1956): “He had mastered the tack of rolling with the punches, rendering himself invisible when a crisis darkened the skies.”

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